Dur Dur Band Int - The Berlin Session

The first studio recording by a full ensemble from Somalia since the golden days of Mogadishu came to a halt three decades ago.

In the last decade many early recordings of Somalia's Funk, Soul and Disco scene have been reissued, fnding their way into the vinyl collections of music fans outside the Somali community, as well as radio and streaming playlists. But this record is different. 'The Berlin Session' by Dur-Dur Band Int. is not a reissue; it is the frst new studio recording by a full group from Somalia since the country's golden era of music ended three decades ago. 'The Berlin Session' captures a historic reunion which took place in Germany's capital in 2019: Dur-Dur Band Int. together with legendary singers Xabiib Sharaabi (who lives in exile in Sweden), Cabdinuur Alaale (from Djibouti) and London-based Fadumina Hilowle. Previously heard on reissues such as the Grammy-nominated compilation 'Sweet As Broken Dates', these are living representatives of a distinct era. There may be over three decades between the original and new recordings but 'The Berlin Session' is proof that Somali music is hot, funky and alive - again.